Healthy World Digest, Issue #004, June 1, 2009

"Healthy nuggets of information to keep your motor humming."

Welcome to the fourth issue of our newsletter.

In this issue:

* How to choose herbs for your regimen

* It's summer, make sure your kids don't dehydrate

* Why be troubled about too much mercury?

* Chinese herbs for arthritis

* Finished a marathon? Congrats, you've just made yourself sick.

* Hey, that's why kids don't get canker sores.

* KING of Vitamins

* Best sneakers

Ever notice how herbal remedy websites and books often list concerns and offer a slew of herbs you could take for that illness?

Well, after reviewing at a list of herbal remedies, then what? How do you decide which ones to get?

What you should do is get 1 - 2 of the recommended herbs, try them out and continue if they help. If not, substitute with other options. You don't just go get all 23 supplements and make them into a side dish. You don't just get the cheapest ones.

Click for the complete article on taking the right herbs

* It's summer, make sure your kids don't dehydrate

A Madison Wisconsin news station reinforces that very important point that we can't stress too much. Especially important for growing children to be fully hydrated. Following are some excerpts from article:

Kids are at the point, depending on their age, they're playing, they're thirsty, but they're not going to stop and get some water.

Kids are more susceptible to dehydration because their bodies are less efficient when it comes to perspiring.

What I do with my kids -- I have a bottleful with each of their names on it. I fill it up with ice, and they have to finish it by the end of the day.

Just to reinforce the most important point in the article - It's especially vital that kids be hydrated because growth requires a great deal of healthy water. There's no knowing the harm that could be done to children if they don't have access to the necessary nutrients and water.

* What to do about too much mercury

Mercury is deadly to us. Unfortunately, it is found in a lot of the otherwise very healthy seafood we consume, not to mention the water we drink.

Here's the good news. Green or black tea may stop the toxins in seafood from entering your blood. So, be sure to sip tea on your next sushi binge.

* Two Chinese natural remedies for arthritis

Cinnamon, which the Chinese call Rou Gui, is an effective Chinese herbal remedy for arthritis. The bark is especially good for blood flow and functioning of the spleen and kidney. Improving blood flow is helpful because it helps reduce pain and inflammation in many forms of arthritis.

Ginger, called Gan Jiang by the Chinese, is also used as an anti-inflammatory. You can use the fresh roots as a compress or tea.

Combining the two in a scrumptious tea with a little raw honey would be ideal.

Click for more Chinese herbs for arthritis

* Just completed a marathon? Congrats, now go see a doctor

Exercise is the healthiest thing for you. Not so for running a marathon. But, if you insist on running marathons, well, it's not against the law, not yet anyway.

Running a marathon is really bad for your health. It can cause many injuries and health problems and even death.

However, training for a marathon without ever actually running it is good for you. So go ahead and train for that next marathon. Then on the day of the marathon, enjoy it on the TV.

* Ahhh, that's why kids don't get canker sores

New research finds that licorice root extract can heal canker sores. This delightful herb is a good, all natural solution to this irritating problem.

Your drugstore may sell CankerMelts which is made from licorice root. You can also ask your health food store for a recommendation.

Oh, just kidding about the licorice candy. Those licorice Twizzlers wont do a thing for your canker sores.

* KING of Vitamins

Vitamin C continues to be the top per penny nutrient on the market. Add diabetes as the latest health disorder that C seems to prevent or correct. Vitamin C: Cheap and safe. Get it in fruits, vegetables and supplements. Just get it.

* Best athletic shoes

As July is upon us and many of you are determined to hit the outdoor exercise venues, our friends at Consumer Reports have come out with their rankings on sneakers.

Briefly, for men, the top rated sneaker was Asics, GEL-150 TR at $65. Their best buy was Champion, Amp 2 (Payless) for $45. (My unpaid commercial: I adore Payless! If you turn your nose up at this discount shoe store, well too bad for you.)

For women, the top rated athletic shoes were Asics GEL-150TR at $65 (just like for men). Next top rated was Ryka Core Strength XT at $70. The best buys would be Avia A104W at $45 and Champion C9 Rocksie (Target).

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Comments? Ideas? Feedback? I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to Healthy World Digest and tell me what you think.

See you next month!

Sal